A Cranky reader named Brian wrote in to ask, “What are your top three favorite TV commercials?” Honestly, the question caught me off guard — I don’t like many commercials, and I’ve never really had a “favorite.”
But Brian’s question got me thinking, and I had to agree that exploring this topic might be fun.
Now, after several days of ruminating, I think I have an answer. But before I share my favorites, let’s look at Brian’s top pick.
Straight from the glorious 1980s, here is Chanel No. 5’s “Share the Fantasy”:
Oh, and Brian wrote up an absolutely beautiful tribute to describe why he loves this ad:
Says he: “For me, the commercial was like being in that place somewhere between a hazy dream and reality . . . There was just a magic about it and everything melded together perfectly. Yes, the woman was beautiful but so was the sky, the swimming pool, the water, and the airplane flying over. The woman’s voice was soothingly beautiful . . . there was something ethereal in the presentation as she said ‘I am made of blue sky and golden light, and I will feel this way forever.’
“And then there’s the music . . . the music in this commercial is everything. Ridley Scott made an amazing decision when he chose “The Little Fete” by Vangelis to be the song for this commercial. He had Vangelis provide an instrumental version and it hurts me so bad to this day that the song was never made available as an instrumental …
Brian concludes: “We all grow up with hopes and dreams . . . an idealized dream of what life will be. We want adventure, romance, and magic in our lives. To me, that commercial is a dream of what life can and should be, and it’s so powerful, you can almost feel in your soul ….”
Inspiring stuff, Brian. Thank you for sharing!
And now, The Cranky Creative’s top three TV commercials of all time
In no particular order:
“Toby’s New Trick” for Stanley Steemer
The Loomis Agency, the creative brain trust behind this commercial, said: “We thought a dog dragging his ass across the carpet was pretty funny. Apparently, so did the rest of America.”
First aired in 2011, “Toby” won Best In Show at the Davey Awards, was featured on TBS’s “World’s Funniest Commercials,” and was spoofed in a skit with Jon Hamm and Kristen Wiig on “Saturday Night Live.”
The dramatic change in facial expressions and the way the mom shrieks “TO-BEY!!!” get me every time.
“Poo-Pourri” with Bethany Woodruff
OK, technically, this isn’t a TV commercial, but who cares. In this extended online commercial for Poo-Pourri, Scottish actress Bethany Woodruff dons a British accent and a fancy blue cocktail dress to become a scent-sitive socialite with a penchant for toilet humor.
“Our business is to make it smell like your business never even happened,” chirps Woodruff while sitting in a field on a gleaming white commode.
A viewer on YouTube called this ad “Monty-Pythonesque brilliance,” and I agree.
If this commercial had run on TV, I would have sat and watched every second of this two-and-a-half-minute ad every time it, uh, aired.
Jennifer Garner for the Capital One Venture card
A while back, I started writing a blog post titled “Celebrity ads are a waste of money (unless they star Jennifer Garner).” It’s true, and here is my proof:
In these ads, Garner exudes a warmth, an authenticity, a sweetness and humanity that few other celebrities could ever hope to match.
Let’s watch more:
And more:
And a “behind-the-scenes” spot for good measure:
“What’s in your wallet?” Garner asks, never the same way twice.
Good Lord, she could be promoting pocket lint for all I care. Put her in everything!
My favorite TV commercials: honorable mention
Cranky readers who remember my ad review, “PS Vue Gets It Right,” will recognize this one.
PS Vue is (was) a live-TV streaming service like Sling and YouTube TV. This early ad employs dark humor and high production values to tell a compact, dystopian tale of a man trying desperately to escape the oppression of his cable TV provider.
Is there a cable TV subscriber on the planet who can’t relate?
Now I’ve showed you my favorite TV Commercials. What are yours?
Do you have a favorite TV commercial? Share with us in the comments below.
My vote is for the Miller Beer 1977 Christmas commercial with the horse galloping through the snow to “I’ll Be Home for Christmas.”
But a close second is this 1990 gem from British Airways:
Ah, yes. Great commercials, Guy! I’d never seen the British Airways spot. Cleverly humorous in a way that’s so lacking today.
I remember a great Golden Grahams campaign from the late 1980’s called Golden Boy. The Golden Boy actor doesn’t come off as pretentious, just nice and deserving of the affection he gets from the girls at school, and the ads are silly, but still manage to sell the product well. Here are a few links:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ezt5zqw2zmg
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=ZdVCLeFoWf0
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=8rp71iq-3DY
My mom has particular affection for a Discount Tire Company ad that first ran in 1975. The concept is silly, but poignant, and also focuses on the product, despite the ad being very short:
https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=TE1dFHmFCRk
What’s up, G? Again, I apologize for the late reply — my freelance copywriting business is booming and I’ve fallen a bit behind with the blog.
I totally agree with you about the Golden Grahams ads. They have a fun, silly vibe that’s so endearing compared to the hyper-slick, abrasive, and politically-correct trash we have today.
And thank you for sharing that hilarious ad for Discount Tire. I love it!
Hello. Brian here. Thanks for penning this article! I should add that the Chanel No. 5 commercial was actually released in 1979 but it played throughout the 80s.
And who would have imagined that Bethany Woodruff could be so adorable while talking up a rather unflattering every day issue. I also loved Maria Bamford as the crazy Target Christmas shopping lady that would treat gearing up for black Friday like training for a track meet.
Chanel No. 5 also get my 2nd spot with the lovely atmosphere and romantic sounds of this commercial. “The Invitation To Dream” https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=mJLVryVUh-E
My third favorite is probably the Apple Mac: 1984 commercial. What bitter irony that one has in these current times.
It’s fun to see that others have posted their favorites and I will be checking all of them out.
Hi, Brian! Yes, yes, another tardy reply. Sorry, I’ve been up to my eyeballs in paid client work — a very good problem to have.
I like your tastes in ads. Indeed, Maria Bamford is a perfect fit as the crazy Target shopping lady. There’s a comedian who is both hilarious and authentic.
Something tells me the Apple “1984” commercial wouldn’t be greenlit in 2021. The world today is a difficult place for rebels against the establishment.
Thanks for your comment, Brian, and for inspiring this blog post!
One of my faves is dollar shave club original commercial. Play is a bit long, but love it!
Next it has to be Sexy Mr. Clean
and the last one is The Steven Tyler stinger commercial. Love Steven Tyler!
Great contributions, Denise! All three of these ads are great, each in their own way. If every advertiser was able to achieve these levels of fun and creativity, watching TV would be so much more enjoyable.
Thank you for sharing!
I absolutely love this Twizzler ad. I watch it all way through every time it comes on.
That’s a good one, Jackie! Thank you, I hadn’t seen it before.
By the way, I got you covered. When bringing over a YouTube video, try right-clicking on the video (or click the Share button) and copy the “embed” code.
Your video is now in your post.
Thanks!
The Get Rid of Cable series of absurd slippery slope scenarios still brings spasms of laughter and tears.
Ah, yes, the Direct TV commercials! That was a clever campaign. Entertaining. I especially enjoy the one with the guy who gets the eye patch. “Don’t wake up in a roadside ditch. Get ride of cable and upgrade to Direct TV.” LOL!
Thanks for sharing.
Goes back a ways, but always loved this one…
Oh, those beautiful clydesdales! A true classic.
Thanks, Holly!
You already know this, but this is my favorite (probably of all time) – Nestle White:
This commercial made me want to try white chocolate and I did because of it. I never had it before. There is something about it: a dreamy feel that pulls me in every time.
Oh my goodness, Adrianna — now that jingle is stuck in my head all day!
Thanks for sharing your favorite ad.
When you said the jingle got stuck in your head, I was afraid to watch it. It was okay. Kinda soothing. It’s those insurance ads the are trying to drive us nuts.